485 



vessels, and, as a sequel, the volume of it which is carried to the point 

 of inflammation; it diminishes the body temperature or fever; it 

 numbs the nervous system, which plays an important part as a con- 

 ductor of irritation in diseases. 



Blood-letting is the most rapid means, and frequently acts like a 

 charm in relieving a commencing inflammatory trouble. The class of 

 horses and cattle in which this mode of treatment is indicated usually 

 tolerates the loss of a considerable quanity of blood without inconven- 

 ience and recuperates from the loss rapidly. 



Ccdliartics act by drawing off a large quantity of fluid from the blood 

 through the intestines, and have the advantage over the last remedy 

 • of removing only the watery and not the formed elements from the cir- 

 culation. The blood cells remain, leaving the blood as rich as it was 

 before. Again, the glands of the intestines are stimulated to excrete 

 much waste matter and other deleterious material which may be acting 

 as a poison in the blood. 



Diuretics operate through the kidneys in the same way. 



Diaphoretics aid depletion of the blood by pouring water in the form 

 of sweat from the surface of the skin and stimulating the discharge of 

 waste material out of its glands, which has the same effect on the blood 

 pressure. 



Depressants are drugs which act on the heart. They slow or weaken 

 the action of this organ and reduce the quantity and force of the cur- 

 rent of the blood which is carried to the point of local disease; they 

 lessen the natality of the animal; so they act in two ways: first, as in 

 the previous classes, by reduction of the force of the blood; and, sec- 

 ondly, as in the next class, by putting to rest the animal system' 

 _ Anodynes quiet the nervous system. Pain in the horse, as in man 

 IS one of the important factors in the production of fever, and the 

 dulling of the former often prevents, or at least reduces, the latter 

 They produce sleep, so as to rest the patient and allow recuperation 

 for the succeeding struggle of the vitality of the animal against the 

 exhausting drain of the disease. 



The diet of an animal suffering from acute inflammation is a factor 

 of the greatest importance. An overloaded circulation can be starved 

 to a reduced quantity and to a less rich quality of blood by reducino- 

 the quantity of food given to the patient. Matters of easy digestion 

 do not tire the already fatigued organs of an animal with a torpid 

 digestive system. Nourishment will be taken by a suffering brute in 

 the form of slops and cooling drinks where it would be totally refused 

 If offered in its ordinary form, as hard oats or dry hay, requiring the 

 labor of grinding between the teeth and swallowing by the weakened 

 muscles of the jaws and throat. 



Tonics and stimulants are remedies which enter rather into the 

 after treatment of inflammatory trouble than into the acute stages of 

 them, rhey brace up weakened and torpid glands ; they stimulate the 



